Class 2A, No. 7 Triton Central returns home for sectional semifinal against high-powered Northeastern

Survive and advance is a simple postseason mantra.

Class 2A, No. 7 Triton Central took that to heart after it allowed a rare late fourth quarter touchdown Friday at Centerville in its Sectional 38 opener but scored with 19 seconds left to steal a 22-19 victory.

“It was one of those things where the kids kept fighting, fighting and fighting,” said Triton Central head coach Tim Able, now 32-12 in postseason games with the Tigers. “Centerville really controlled the first half. We just seem to be better in the third and fourth quarters.”

After allowing a touchdown inside the final three minutes but stopping the 2-point conversion attempt to keep the Bulldogs’ lead at 19-14, Triton Central got a good kickoff return to near midfield.

Matthew Wilkins (photo) quickly moved the Tigers within scoring range then connected with Zeke Robertson for a second touchdown, and the game-winning score. Wilkins, who missed the last three games with a shoulder injury, completed 12 of 24 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Triton Central improved to 9-1 and now return home to Mendenhall Field Friday to face a team very similar to Centerville in Northeastern (9-1).

“They are the exact same thing (as Centerville), maybe a little better,” said Able. “It’s a good offense and a good defense.”

Triton Central’s defense limited Centerville dual-threat quarterback Jace Hollendonner to 125 yards passing and 88 rushing yards despite allowing the sophomore to run for two touchdowns and throw for another.

Northeastern quarterback Marshall Phillips has thrown for 2,123 yards and 24 touchdowns this season and is the Knights’ leading rusher with 626 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Phillips has plenty of offensive weapons at his disposal. On the ground, there is Dylan Ross (541 yards, 7 TDs), Trent Deloney (390 yards, 4 TDs) and Corbin Isaacs (363 yards, 9 TDs). Deloney is Phillips’ top target with 35 receptions for 887 yards and nine touchdowns. Quanell Denton (18 receptions, 556 yards, 7 TDs) and Caden Retter (21 receptions, 477 yards, 7 TDs) are also dangerous in the Knights’ offensive system.

“They have three elite receivers,” said Able. “All can take it deep. The quarterback throws the deep ball really well. And they throw screens really well.”

Northeastern’s offense is averaging 51 points per game. Triton Central might have to score more than the 20 ppg it is averaging this season to survive and advance once again.

That means keeping Northeastern’s defensive playmakers Charlie Shaffer (99 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss), Kale Hansen (13 quarterback sacks), Gavin Harrison (97 tackles), Gavin Platt (97 tackles) and Dakota May (88 tackles, nine tackles for loss) from wrecking the Tigers’ offense.

The edge for Triton Central is home-field advantage. After the long drive to Centerville led to a lackluster first half, Able believes his team will start stronger in front of its home fans.

“It means a lot to us,” he said. “We don’t have to go through that bus ride. When you go that far (as Northeastern will this Friday), everything is scrambled. We didn’t travel well. We are glad to be home. I feel like our kids play at a little higher level at home.”

With Wilkins’ return last week and the greater offensive availability of Robertson (photo), Triton Central did not have to rely so much on Braden Brown. The senior still rushed for 77 yards on 17 carries at Centerville.

Now at 1,488 yards this season, he is up to fourth in the single season rushing record book and needs just four yards to pass Brian Moline (1,491 yards in 1990) for third.

“We need good pass coverage and score when we can,” said Able, who has guided the Tigers to 12 straight sectional championship games. “We are doing everything we can to find a few more points.”

NORTHEASTERN (9-1) AT CLASS 2A, NO. 7 TRITON CENTRAL (9-1)

SITE: Mendenhall Field at Triton Central High School.

GAME TIME: 7 p.m.

COACHES: Wes Oler, 48-22 in seventh year at Northeastern; Tim Able, 119-41 in 13^th year at Triton Central, 244-139 in 32^nd year overall.

SAGARIN RATINGS: Northeastern, 62.68, 85th overall, ninth in Class 2A; Triton Central, 58.11, 119th overall, 16th in Class 2A; Northeastern is a 2-point favorite.

LAST MEETING: The Knights and the Tigers have never met.

CLASS 2A, SECTIONAL 38: Northeastern (9-1) at No. 7 Triton Central (9-1) and No. 3 Lapel (10-0) at Eastern Hancock (6-4). If Triton Central wins, it will play at either Lapel or Eastern Hancock in the Sectional 38 championship game on Nov. 7.

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